AEP to utilize its barge fleet to enter liquid-cargo market

American Electric Power will soon use its barge fleet to transport liquid fuels and chemicals, as opposed to just moving coal and other dry cargo.

Dan Gearino, The Columbus Dispatch

American Electric Power will soon use its barge fleet to transport liquid fuels and chemicals, as opposed to just moving coal and other dry cargo.

The Columbus-based utility said yesterday that it received an order of 20 tank barges, each capable of carrying more than 300,000 gallons of liquid. The boats are part of AEP River Operations, with offices in Missouri, a division that transports coal, steel, grain and other bulk products.

“Entering the liquid cargo market means we can offer our customers a more-complete range of services,” Keith Darling, president of AEP River Operations, said in a statement.